Niseko Now: Tuesday 31st December 2024
- Dec 31, 2024
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 349cm
Posted on Tuesday 31st December 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
After some varied weather conditions yesterday, there was slightly over 4cm of fine quality snow at my measuring point this morning.
That brings my observed snowfall total for December to 311cm and the total for the season up to 349cm. More on that tomorrow.
It is an overcast start to the day. Early on this morning the Morino Chair and Country Road Chair lifts at Niseko Village are showing as being closed. (I'm not sure if that is just an early morning thing, but it is perhaps worth noting). All other lifts scheduled to be operating as planned.
The first week of 2025 looks set to continue the pattern of consistent snowfall, perhaps modest in nature (rather than dramatic).
There will be various events and celebrations going on tonight and into the early hours of tomorrow morning for the New Year. Special New Year fireworks displays will be happening at the following times, I believe these to be correct:
Niseko Hirafu: 8:00pm
Niseko Village: 9:00pm
Niseko Annupuri: 11:59pm
Niseko Hanazono: 12 midnight
Niseko Annupuri is offering special extended night skiing from 7:30pm until 11:00pm tonight, to be followed by New Year events. (Now that's a proper night skiing time. And free too, apparently!)
Tomorrow morning the Niseko Annupuri gondola will be opening early, from 7:20am until 8:20am, for special 'First Run' operations. (And also on 2nd-3rd and then 11th-13th January). That costs 2,000 yen.
Anyway, stay safe and have fun.
That's it from me for this year. It has been a pleasure. See you in 2025!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base -5℃, 10cm of light crystalline snow preceding low pressure system, light winds. Moiwa 800m: -5.9℃, E3.6m/s, 10cm new snow, no cornice or slab development. Mikaeri 750m: ENE1.5m/s, 15cm new snow. Annupuri 1100m: -7.4℃, S0.3m/s, 10cm new snow. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -7.0℃, S4.7m/s, 10cm of light crystalline snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape SSW2m/s, Kamui Cape E5m/s, 1007kPa, wave 0.5m.
10-15cm of light crystalline snow fell in front of an approaching low pressure system. There were no major fractures observed at 5am tests, slabs are stable and below 1000m the avalanche risk is low. Above 1100m in Kozan-no-sawa(backbowl), Osawa side wall, and HigashiOne(east ridge), shallow slabs and point-generated avalanches are likely to occur regardless of the slope aspect. If a slab fractures and causes an avalanche on these steep slopes, it could become large and very dangerous. So do not cut under cornices or knolls, be in the bottom of the valley or at the bottom of the slope. Also avoid skiing at the same time. The summit gates are scheduled to open, please listen to the patrol's opinions and prepare before leaving the resort. Never enter strictly off limits areas. With the approach of the low pressure system, temperatures are expected to rise, making it easier for snow to fall off roofs. Tell the children not to play under roofs. Have a great day starting tomorrow in 2025. Be careful of sudden changes in weather.
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Individual ski area information for Tuesday 31st December 2024
The below snow depth and snowfall numbers are manually checked each morning from official sources.
Lift information is the planned operations for the day at the time of writing.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 12cm
Base: 10cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 210cm (-10cm change since yesterday)
Base: 180cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The gondola is scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Official 24 hours snowfall (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 20cm
Base: 5cm
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 240cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Base: 125cm (-5cm change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All scheduled lifts are operating
The Ace Gondola, Ace Family quad, King Gondola and King Holiday pair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Village Ski Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 150cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 100cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are operating (though two shown as possibly closed this morning)
The Upper Village Gondola, Village Express and Banzai Chair lifts are scheduled to be open until 7:00pm
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Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
Peak: 170cm (no change since yesterday)
Base: 120cm (no change since yesterday)
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
The Jumbo Number 1 quad lift is scheduled to be open until 7:30pm
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Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort
Lifts:
All lifts are scheduled to be operating
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Night skiing
Floodlit night skiing is planned daily until Wednesday 23rd March 2025.
Niseko Now 2024-2025 season |
Data as of Tuesday 31st December 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 349cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 23cm (16th December) November 2024 snowfall 38cm reported on 8 days December 2024 snowfall 311cm reported on 28 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.